An Insider's Look at Generations Riviera Maya
Generations Riviera Maya and El Dorado Royale is the ultimate Indian destination wedding resort! Built entirely along the coastline of Riviera Maya, this beautiful Karisma resort has three sections: Generations Riviera Maya is the family friendly section that has some truly amazing venues, El Dorado Royale is the adults only sister resort (perfect for friends and families with older children), and El Dorado Casitas Royale is the luxury section featuring ocean front villas and a premium location! Just 20 minutes south of Cancun airport, the resort has a very convenient location. With exclusive perks negotiated just for Shaadi Destinations clients, Generations and El Dorado is a dreamy choice - amazing Indian food cooked on property, a fantastic wedding planning team powered by Weddings by Lomas Travel, and epic Shaadi Destinations perks including a ton of free rooms and never-ending event credits!
Valeria Martinez has revolutionized the South Asian wedding offerings at Generations Riviera Maya. Valeria simply just gets it! She has brought in all the best of the best wedding vendors - from decor to mehndi to live entertainment to hair and makeup, she has brought in world class experts in Indian weddings to allow her team of South Asian certified wedding planners the chance to wow Shaadi Destinations brides and grooms. Come take an Insider’s Look at Generations Riviera Maya and El Dorado Royale with Valeria Martinez!
Shehzadi and Adil taking a stroll upon arrival to paradise; Courtesy of Feng Long Photography
How and when did you get your start in the wedding industry?
I started my career in the wedding industry almost 13 years ago, at El Dorado Spa Resorts and Lomas Travel! I have been very blessed to call this my home for such a long time, and to have grown along with this wonderful company. With new resort developments and exciting opportunities, there have been no dull moments here in paradise. It has been so rewarding to see the wedding team evolve into our amazing talented crew that it is today, working on so many amazing weddings, especially with the support of Shaadi Destinations.
Why did you become a wedding planner?
Purely by chance! I started as a professional in the hotel industry and then fell in the arms of weddings. I love logistics, organizing times, and lots of movement - weddings are perfect for me.
When was your first Indian wedding and what was it like?
The first Indian wedding I worked with and planned was in 2008; I remember it was a Sikh wedding, and I was just in awe to see all of the different rituals, garments, colors, and overall the sense of celebration and joy, I was immediately hooked by all of it!
Priya and Neeraj enjoying their wedding morning at their first look; Courtesy of Federico Salmeron Photography
Have you been certified as a South Asian wedding planner?
Yes, I have a few South Asian wedding planner certifications under the belt ;) Plus over my career, I have planned and executed over 75+ Indian weddings. They are my passion.
What is your favorite part about being a South Asian wedding planner?
Seeing all of the different teams hard work: wedding designers, hotel + wedding operations team, chefs, cooks, waiters, stewards, dj’s, decorators, florists, come together in an incredible explosion of happiness for our couples, their families and friends.
Krupa and Chirag explored Xolumado Inspiration Village on-property to get this intimate moment in ahead of their ceremony; Courtesy of Federico Salmeron Photography
How long have you been at Generations Riviera Maya?
For as long as it has been opened, 5 years!
What is your favorite venue on property?
I have two favorites! The Pier is our oceanfront over-the-water ceremony location with floor to ceiling windows - it has pre-built shade and still allows for that fresh Riviera Maya air to breeze right through and keep guests cool! The Palapa Ganesha is also such an amazing venue - it is built right on the beach and offers that iconic Mexican straw roof with direct beach views while also allowing for multiple dimensions! You can set up a firepit right on the beach, bistro string lights across the venue, and a wonderful dancefloor under the palapa.
Jibin and Jessley’s friends having the time of their lives post-nuptials! Courtesy of Jhankarlo Photography
What is the best spot for a photoshoot at Generations Riviera Maya?
I would say Xolumado Inspiration Village - it has a super luscious, tropical feel! In addition, the whole area around the Main Lobby of El Dorado Royale - the impressive chandeliers and staircase that takes you to an area of fountains, its just breathtaking.
Could you tell us a little bit more about your Indian wedding program or packages?
We provide an incredible FREE wedding package, with all of the essentials for you to have a wedding with us, all of the amenities and services can be chosen a la carte, so you are not restricted by items or services in a wedding package that you don’t need and that you get stuck with; we want for you to be able to customize each of your selections to the fullest, without having to pay for something you do not want. With your Shaadi Destinations perks, based on the number of rooms you have we will provide you with credits (basically, money) that you can use towards the F&B for your events. We give you more bang for your buck #guaranteed. In addition, Shaadi Destinations couples also get both a free semi-private brunch event as well as a free semi-private dinner event - both for up to 40 guests! What a great way to start and end your week in paradise with those of your friends and family choose to extend their stay to really celebrate with you in the days before and after your events!
Leslie and Krupa taking in the beauty of this stunning resort; Courtesy of Button Up Photography
Why should a couple choose your resort over all the rest?
Generations Riviera Maya offers you the best Indian Food in Riviera Maya cooked by Chef Kaushal, spectacular wedding locations, access to the best South Asian vendors in the area, smooth and seamless wedding planning with full support of our wedding designers team, and the highest value for you to have the most amazing wedding in Mexico.
What is your favorite restaurant on site and what's your favorite thing to order?
Of Course, “Habb” our Indian restaurant @ the Gourmet Tower of GRM. My all-time favorite thing to order: Daal Mahkani.
What is your favorite Indian food item?
Chef Kaushal’s Dum Aloo Punjabi OMG, Baingan Bharta, Fresh Naan, Homemade Sambar + Masala Dosa with fresh Coconut Chutney, Papdi Chat, Pav Bhaji, Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai; geez, there are so many and I have gained so much weight by eating all of it #drooling #noregrets!
What makes the Indian food at events at Generations Riviera Maya the best in Cancun?
Chef Kaushal and his team are just amazing, their food is prepared with the freshest ingredients, they have broad knowledge on many different types of dishes, can accommodate Jain requests, vegan, gluten free and all kinds of allergies requests, with our Gourmet Inclusive service, is an Indian food fiesta for your Palate, amigos. By the way, guess who has a brand new Tandoor Oven??
Pooja and Casey enjoyed their beach ceremony at Generations Riviera Maya; Courtesy of Jonathan Cossu Photography
What makes a Shaadi Destinations bride and groom different from others?
Shaadi Destinations has, without a doubt, reinvented the Indian Destination Wedding industry. Before they launched, couples would have to reach out to so many resorts and venues - they would have no idea what to believe or who to contact for fast replies. Now, with their expertise, couples are so much more savvy - they come in to their conversations with Generations Riviera Maya knowing all the best venues, how to structure their event flow, how to maximize perks and promotions, and always have the best room rates. Shaadi Destinations offers you the best incentives, amazing support, and a streamlined service which will allow you and your family to enjoy to the fullest of your wedding planning, and of course of your biggest day.
What are your top 3 tips for couples looking to plan an Indian destination wedding?
1. The most important part of planning a destination wedding is to choose the best destination and resort that meets your needs
Although you may be tempted to pick the most popular resort or one with more so called “freebies”, we suggest for you to consider opting for a lesser known resort, which can offer you lots of flexibility, support and exceptional service. Generations Riviera Maya will go above and beyond to make your big day extra special, our utmost goal is for you to have the most amazing wedding ever. Each of our couples is unique and special to us and we are well known for providing one of the best customer service that Mexico has to offer our couples and guests.
Sanam and Sean’s over-the-ocean ceremony at the Pier at Generations; Courtesy of Castaldo Studio
2. Pre-wedding visit to the destination / get a feel of the resort vibe, and get to know it before the wedding.
Invest in a mini vacation at Generations Riviera Maya, before the wedding and meet with your wedding designer who will plan all of the details for your special day, in the end, she is going to look after everything about this grand event management. This will definitely will help you to understand the resort, locations and flow of events, and will also help your wedding designer to know your style and the vision, look and feel that you have for each of the events that are being planned, go through our amazing A+ List of South Asian vendor’s list given by your Wedding Designer, and she will be happy to arrange various meetings so you can choose between them. Big Plus+, enjoy of Superb Menu tastings: Indian Menu with up to 20 courses, Mexican food, Various stations (taco truck, churros station, elotes, esquites) and of course up to 6 different wedding cake flavors: blueberry lemon, vanilla coconut, oreo, funfetti, carrot, tres leches, etc. Shaadi Destinations clients get specially negotiated rates for their preview stay as well!
3. Plan Early
This is a very simple way to minimize your wedding expenses. Planning early will help you grab early-bird offers, cheaper deals and low airfare, plus you will get the best wedding dates available (versus other couples seeking later for it, when everything is booked) and this will also give you more time to plan everything, visit the resort in advance, and go as detailed as desired.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with future brides and grooms?
Dare to have an out-of-the ordinary Indian Destination wedding through Shaadi Destinations at Generations Riviera Maya, you will have the most amazing, out of this world wedding, while your family and friends get to relax and enjoy of the best of the Mexican Caribbean, delish Indian food, lots of fun, and of course, celebrate your love. We look forward to welcome you in Mexico soon, Amigos!
Absolutely breathtaking ballroom transformation for Krupa and Chirag’s reception! Courtesy of Federico Salmeron Photography
Shaadi Destinations is the premier, award winning, modern-day destination wedding travel agency for South Asian couples seeking a streamlined process, incredible experiences, and a party friends and family will never forget! We save our couples thousands of dollars while throwing them the wedding festivities dreams are made of.
We live and breathe destination weddings - with just one consultation, you will be light years ahead in your destination wedding planning process. In less than one week, Shaadi Destinations will find you the most perfect resort that meets your needs, your budget, and your desires. With our vendor relationships and pre-negotiated exclusive perks at resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, we are confident we can find exactly what you are looking for. You'll find we have the best rates, best incentives, and best booking experience.
